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Patricia Hennessey, Nash Campbell inquest yields 15 recommendations

The jury at the inquest into the murder-suicide of 4-year-old Nash Campbell and his mother Patricia Hennessey returned Monday afternoon with 15 recommendations for changes to the way the province handles high-risk child custody cases.

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The deaths of Patricia Hennessey and Nash Campbell were ruled a murder-suicide. (Facebook)

The jury at the inquest into the murder-suicide of 4-year-old Nash Campbell and his mother Patricia Hennessey returned Monday afternoon with 15 recommendations for changes to the way the province handles high-risk child custody cases.

The jury was acting on suggestions made by numerous witnesses testifying at the inquest, many of whom tried to help Nash and his parents, Hennessey and Marc Campbell.

Nash Campbell and Hennessey died in a vehicle fire near Tignish on June 21, 2013. Their deaths were ruled a murder-suicide.

peace plan put in place with all service workers involved and both parents have to attend

having a child advocate in place.

The recommendations will now go to the province's chief coroner who will forward them to the attorney general. The province will then review the recommendations and decide which ones to implement.

The recommendations aren't binding.

Jury 'engaged'

Coroner Dr. Roy Montgomery, who presided over the inquest, thanked the jury, telling them, "It was a lot of work. You did a great job."

Crown David O'Brien said, in all his years, he's never seen a jury "so engaged" in a case.

Mary Lynn Kane, the lawyer for Child and Family Services told jurors that the province will provide help them deal with the stress of hearing the details of the case, if necessary.

Earlier in the day, family violence expert Peter Jaffe testified, saying homicides in these cases are often preventable and that family members and others see a child at risk, but don't know what to do.